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Science

Science is the study of the natural world around us, from living things on Earth to the workings of the stars at the furthest reaches of the Universe. It is a core part of the curriculum, studied by all students until the end of Year 11, and is an essential part of education for young people growing up in a technological society such as ours. Here at Fallibroome, we take a very practical approach to Science, so that students learn not only what Science has already discovered, but also the skills of how to discover new things for themselves. This approach serves well to develop future scientists, engineers and medics, and also to equip everyone with the skills for life to enable them to identify dubious claims and bogus pseudoscience.

Years 7, 8 and 9

Science in Years 7, 8 and 9 is taught over three hours per week, in mixed ability groups, to all pupils. Topics last for about three weeks and range across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The topics in the second half of Year 9 are taken from GCSE and allow pupils to transition smoothly as they start Year 10.

Years 10 and 11

During Year 9, all students must choose which Science course(s) they will follow during Years 10 and 11:

GCSE Combined Science : This is the default course for all students. Students following this course get twice as much curriculum time compared to other GCSE subjects (10 lessons of Science each fortnight) and GCSE Combined Science is worth two GCSEs. The course covers aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in equal amounts and allows progression onto A-levels in any of the three Sciences (an optional study pack is provided for use during the summer holiday between Years 11 and 12, to ensure a smooth transition).

GCSE BiologyandGCSE ChemistryandGCSE Physics : Students can use one of their four Options to convert the double Combined Science GCSE into three GCSEs in the sciences by studying each one separately, in greater deapth. Students opting for this triplet of courses get 5 lessons of Biology, 5 lessons of Chemistry and 5 lessons of Physics each fortnight, so 15 lessons of Science altogether. Each course is a separate GCSE in its own right, including the relevant science content from GCSE Combined Science, plus half as much again. These three courses are designed to be first and foremost a springboard to A-levels in the Sciences and any student seriously considering Science A-levels should carefully consider opting for this triplet of courses. (The only reason to take GCSE Combined Science instead would be if the student very much wished to take four particular, non-Science, subjects for their Options. In this case, they could keep their curriculum broad and yet not close any doors to the Sciences.)

Years 12 and 13

Fallibroome offers three science-based A-Levels: A-level Biology, A-Level Chemistry and A-Level Physics. All three courses are extremely popular and successful, with between two and four classes taking each course each year. Many of these students go on to study the Sciences, Engineering, Medicine or Veterinary Science at university, including at Oxford and Cambridge.